13 people died in fire of Carina Plaza in Ho Chi Minh City

March 23, 2018 | 12:01

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Many residents jumped from Carina Plaza and hundreds flashed torches and cried for help on the higher floors.

Colonel Nguyen Thanh Huong, director of the Ho Chi Minh City Fire Police, said that the fire killed 13 people and injured 28.

13 people died in fire of carina plaza in ho chi minh city

The building started to burn (source: Facebook Ta Quang Huan)

The Carina Plaza building is located on District 8's Vo Van Kiet Street. The building includes three 14-20-storey blocks, commercial and entertainment areas, and over 700 apartments.

The fire broke out in the basement of the Carina Plaza building

The fire started in basement of the building at 1.45 AM this morning. People hysterically ran to the upper floors. Some people were trapped and had to jump from the third floor. At least five of the injured people needed emergency medical care.

The injured people were rushed to receive emergency medical treatment

People on the upper floors using flash lights to call for help

Dozens of fire trucks were dispatched to the scene. Firefighters mainly focused on handling smoke on the ground floor and saving the people trapped on lower levels first.

The fire was detected to come from the baement parking area between Zone A and Zone B of the building.

The firemen focused on dealing with the smoke on the lower levels

A young woman holding her six-month-old daughter in her arms, told media that they have been rescued from the fifth floor in a smaller group.

"I started to suffocate when I was sleeping. I woke up and saw dense black smoke. Then I grabbed my baby and ran to find a way out, but I heard screams everywhere, from people looking for a way out," she added.

Le Thi Vang (45) suffered several injuries

Her granddaughter covered in soot and grime, sitting on the ground after escaping with their lives

Shocked and confused residents outside the building

People ran to find a way out at 3 AM

Firefighters rescuing people with a ladder

A woman and her son died after falling from the 19th floor

firemen were focusing on rescuing the residents while keeping the fire at bay

Residents right after leavin the blazing building

A father keeping his son warm with his only coat left after the fire

The police checked all floors to look for residents. Hundreds of rescued people were sitting on the ground. Some people are desperately calling for their family members. They repeatedly call them on the phone or ask the police for help.